1 The Lord gave Israel peace from their enemies around them. He made Israel safe. Many years passed, and Joshua became very old.
2 At this time Joshua called a meeting of all the older leaders, heads of families, judges, and officers of the Israelites. Joshua said, “I have grown very old.
3 You have seen what the Lord did to our enemies. He did this to help us. The Lord your God fought for you.
4 Remember that I told you that your people could have the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea in the west. I promised to give you that land, but you don’t control it yet. I have taken the land away from those nations, but they are still living there.
5 But the Lord your God will force the people living there to leave. You will take that land. The Lord will force them to leave, just as he promised.
6 “You must be careful to obey every command written in the Book of the Law of Moses. Never turn away from that law.
7 There are still some people living among us who are not Israelites. They worship their own gods. Don’t become friends with them. Don’t serve or worship their gods.